TBI,or Traumatic Brain Injury, is a dangerous effect that can occur from a head trauma. According to the Center for Disease Control, the CDC, 1.7 million people suffer a TBI each year and the results can be permanent disability or death. TBI can result from a fall, assault, car accident, and even playing in a contact sport like football.When the head receives any kind of a serious hit, it can result in a TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. This is the reason why helmets are standard equipment for contact sports, riding a bicycle, snowboarding, skiing, and skateboarding or longboarding. A TBI can range from moderate to severe, and usually happens when someone experiences a concussion. Protect your brain in any sport you play in and be sure to wear a helmet, too. You only get one brain and it's worth protecting!
Information sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/
Image source:
http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/-images/2009/03/27/33741/size0-army.mil-33741-2009-03-31-070336.jpg
Remember, a narrative tells a story. Today you will create your 'freestyle post' which means you can write about any personal story you would like. Follow the guide lines, have a strong topic sentence, supporting sentences and a closing sentence. You will write a 5-7 sentence well written Narrative Post.
Literary Examples:
Alliteration: Magnificient Marvelous Melodious Monday
Metaphor: Monday is a sled dog race on sand.
Simile: (like/as)
Monday is like iced coffee without ice.
Going through the horrific accident and the results of living with a husband who now has a traumatic brain injury will not be easy. First, Abigail you need to be sure to take care of your own needs. It's easy to get lost in Richard's issues and forget to take care of your own life. You must be sure to get help for yourself from qualified professionals. Second, you need to create a new life for yourself, apart from your life with Richard. You have done this by buying that cottage in New York State and living with your dogs. You need to do more things that make you happy and keep you healthy. Third, you need to speak to other people who have gone through this and might have advice for you. Perhaps an on going support group will help you to deal with all the unknowns that will arise as Richard's Traumatic Brain Injury continues to affect him and you. Finally, as you come to terms with your new life keep documenting what you are learning in more books. Your knowledge and advice can help others who have just been faced with this event in their lives and are overwhelmed with the realities of where they now find themselves. As you move through this new journey, with Richard and by yourself, be sure to find the positive moments you both need to survive this new life.
It happened so suddenly one minute I was walking the dog down the street and the next minute I was in a hospital and it was weeks later. They keep telling me stuff but I don't really understand things like I used to. My mind goes from understanding things one minute, to not even being able to think. When I see someone, whom I think I know, I get pictures in my mind, but not their names. What has happened to me? What has happened to my life. Snippets of time revolve in my brain. I am confused. I stare at things for long periods of time, and I don't even know why. I have no understanding of this new world where I find myself. I cannot leave this place because I cannot leave myself. I am trapped in this confusing, disoriented space where I now live and find myself. There is a door, perhaps it is a way out. My narrative doesn't even begin to explain how awful this space is where I am in New York one minute, and then with the woman who they call my wife and her dogs in a cottage the next minute. Nothing makes any sense and this maze continues to continue with dead ends at every corner.
In my novel, A Three Dog Life, the most outstanding character is Abigail. Abigail shows who her character is through her strength, tenacity, courage, love, pain, fear, and adjustment to her new life with Richard. Abigail's character is going through many changes as she tries to adapt to the conflicts presented to her. She finally understands that her marriage is in a new place. She moves from the city to New York State and purchases a cottage. She adds more dogs to her life as she understands her life and Richard's life through the eyes of her dogs. Dogs live in the moment. Dogs don't despair. Dogs adapt and revel in the joy of just being. These are the character lessons Abigail learns that help her cope with a husband who also lives minute to minute, and seems to be content in any space he finds himself. Abigail's development of character shows us how we are far more capable of change than we might ever believe and this memoir stands as a testament of that!
